This briefing note outlines key viewpoints on firm culture & governance as part of its ongoing project to promote high ethical standards in accounting firms worldwide. It introduces eight foundational elements, designed to guide firms in building and sustaining a strong ethical culture.

In her New Year message, IESBA Chair Gabriela Figueiredo Dias affirms the Board's commitment to supporting stakeholders in navigating uncertainty. Robust ethical baselines and principles are even more important in these times.

In her message, Ms. Dias highlights the IESBA’s commitment to supporting its stakeholders in upholding trust and the public interest, and looks ahead to the work the IESBA is carrying forward, including continued engagement on Firm Culture and Governance, the rollout of the SMART framework to strengthen how the IESBA supports its stakeholders and delivers more value, and a sustained focus on the adoption and implementation of recently issued standards.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has published narrow-scope amendments to its standards arising from the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ (IESBA) Using the Work of an External Expert project.

These amendments respond to the IESBA’s recently approved revisions to its International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards), which introduced, among other provisions, explicit ethical requirements for using the work of external experts in audit, assurance, and non-assurance engagements. The IAASB’s updates reflect ongoing collaboration and coordination between the IAASB and IESBA and help to maintain interoperability between the IAASB standards and the IESBA Code.

The targeted amendments affect the following IAASB standards:

• ISA 620, Using the Work of an Auditor’s Expert
• ISRE 2400 (Revised), Engagements to Review Historical Financial Statements
• ISAE 3000 (Revised), Assurance Engagements Other than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial Information
• ISRS 4400 (Revised), Agreed-upon Procedures Engagements

To learn more and access the amendments and Basis for Conclusions, visit the IAASB website.

About the IAASB
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board develops auditing, assurance, related services, and quality management standards and guidance in the public interest that support consistent performance of quality engagements. Along with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants, the IAASB is part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit. The Public Interest Oversight Board oversees IAASB and IESBA activities and the public interest responsiveness of the standards. For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please visit Permissions.

This new edition compiles the full suite of International Education Standards (IES) 1–8, along with the supporting Framework and Glossary, and incorporates all recently revised and updated standards.

The 2026 Handbook of International Education Standards is organized to support the consistent adoption and implementation of the IESs, which establish the principles, concepts, and requirements that underpin high-quality accountancy education worldwide.

These amendments respond to the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ recently approved revisions to its International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards), which introduced, among other provisions, explicit ethical requirements for using the work of external experts in audit, assurance, and non-assurance engagements.